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I sometimes find when I hear people say things such as, "I don't have a favorite...It is limiting" to be a bit off putting, and most of the time, pseudo intellectual. I mean, how much you wanna bet some recordings are listened to more then others, but it is whatever, to each their own.

Perhaps I simply should have said, "I don't have a favorite"....period.

And I really don't.

On the other hand, I can think of at least ten well-known pianists who I always enjoy listening to....

I guess that the suggestion - if not the original intent - is read by some to mean "one and only," which, of course, is probably not the case. In that case, the choice would be limiting.

I think we all have a number of pianists (violinists, opera/lieder singers, bagpipe-players (?!)) whom we prefer over others for different reasons. I think some of us will prefer one musician in one genre or period of music and another in another period or genre.

I think many of us, too, like to hear different musicians in the same genre or period, even in the same works. Each performer - of significant professional standing, presumably - brings to a work something of him/herself and something of all those who have brought that musician to where s/he is at the time of performance.

These would be the reasons that I would list for not being able to come up with my "favourite pianist."

I guess that the suggestion - if not the original intent - is read by some to mean "one and only," which, of course, is probably not the case. In that case, the choice would be limiting.

I think we all have a number of pianists (violinists, opera/lieder singers, bagpipe-players (?!)) whom we prefer over others for different reasons. I think some of us will prefer one musician in one genre or period of music and another in another period or genre.

I think many of us, too, like to hear different musicians in the same genre or period, even in the same works. Each performer - of significant professional standing, presumably - brings to a work something of him/herself and something of all those who have brought that musician to where s/he is at the time of performance.

These would be the reasons that I would list for not being able to come up with my "favourite pianist."

I sometimes find when I hear people say things such as, "I don't have a favorite...It is limiting" to be a bit off putting, and most of the time, pseudo intellectual. I mean, how much you wanna bet some recordings are listened to more then others, but it is whatever, to each their own.

What's "pseudo-intellectual" about actually thinking?

The OP asked for one favorite pianist and I don't have one, and further, I don't want to have just one, because it is limiting. I shouldn't have to explain why; it should be obvious. At any rate, it would never even occur to me to think that way. There are dozens of pianists that I admire greatly, and hundreds or even thousands of particular recordings I think are wonderful. What's the point of attempting to rank and rate them?

You really can't go wrong with Gilels, especially if you listen to his earlier, live performances. The contrast between his live performances and his studio recordings (I'm thinking of Prokofiev's 8th sonata) is unbelievable. The amount of electricity in those recordings compared to Horowitz is like comparing a power generator to an AA battery..

Not to be silly, but we probably shouldn't spell him this way (pariah=outcast). I agree that he (Perahia) is wonderful.

Oops!!! I'm usually very careful about spelling his name correctly. How embarrassing!

Don't worry, at least you didn't spell his name as 'Piranha' .

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"I don't play accurately - anyone can play accurately - but I play with wonderful expression. As far as the piano is concerned, sentiment is my forte. I keep science for Life."

It really depends on the piece, or the composer at least, for me. I did not have much love for Schumann before I heard concerto in A minor played by Martha Argerich and she's still the only one who can make me listen to Schumann but when it comes to say, Chopin's 24 preludes (which by the way are my favorite pieces) I can't stand Argerich. I believe pianists are like singers, they don't have to be great at every composer or piece. They can be good at only a certain period or at certain composers' works. That being said, I truly wish I had a favorite composer, I don't think it limits one at all. It would be quite liberating to have a favorite whose recording you would buy without thinking and always end up loving them no matter what or who he plays.

This having favorites depending on the composer thing can be terrible sometimes, especially when the work you want to listen to is made for more than one instrument. When it comes to Schubert's lieds I adore Radu Lupu's playing but prefer Barbara Bonney's voice to Barbara Hendricks. Unfortunately it's Hendricks who team up with Radu Lupu and Bonney has some boring pianist I don't remember. Over analysing can kill the enjoyment.

I would have loved hearing Liszt and Chopin and at my age some might think it was possible, but since they were slightly before my time, I am stuck with twentieth and twenty-first century artists so I will throw out a name not mentioned above: Arthur Rubinstein. I also admire Murray Perahia, Vladimir Horowitz, Marta Argerich, Emil Gilels, Wilhelm Kempff, Andrass Schiff, Yundi Li, Earl Wild, Dinu Lipati, and many others. I agree with those who say it varies with the pieces being played. It also depends on my mood. Most of these pianists are a cut above the normal concert pianists for a lot of different reasons, but I am sure I have forgotten to mention great pianists that I will think of later as well. There are so many to admire that it is hard to pick one favorite.

My favorite would have to be Claudio Arrau. His style of playing creates such a unique tone, as if he's digging deep into the piano itself to bring out its voice. I really admire his phrasing as well. He seems to me as someone specializing in precision over velocity.